JOEY KENNEDY: Legislature is done, so it's time to give lawmakers a grade

In this April 12, 2012, file photo, the Alabama House is seen in session. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, file)

The Alabama Legislature ended its 2012 regular session last week. The final day was, as always, hectic. As usual, the House and Senate leaders called the session a great success. What else would they say?

What do you think? Are you happy with the education and General Fund budgets? Do you like the revised immigration law?

There were some notable failures. The charter school bill didn't make it. Neither did a bill to open Alabama's election ballot to independent and third-party candidates. The smoke-free bill failed for the 14th straight year. And a common-sense proposal to sanction nonprofit spay/neuter clinics was killed.

There were successes, too. It's now against the law to text while driving. We can buy big bottles of beer. The state's pension system was revised. And a sentencing reform bill passed.

Forget single issues, however. Overall, what grade would you give the Legislature for 2012? That's what this week's Views poll is asking. Vote below and tell us why you awarded the grade you did. The results and a selection of comments will be published in Sunday's Viewpoints section.

We can talk about this, and the special legislative session under way now, during our weekly live chat Tuesday at 1 p.m.